Coulee Dam Washington – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) learned yesterday that they will become the recipient of a $770,000 award for the expansion of services and to increase the volume of their small business lending. The NNDF will use the $770,000 award as seed to grow their lending capital fund and increase the current portfolio to $5 million dollars by the year 2020.

“We are happy, humbled and excited that the CDFI Fund saw fit to invest in our little company,”said Ted Piccolo NNDF Executive Director. “We have already provided over $3 million dollars in small business financing and this award will help us leverage to larger financing dollars in order to fuel small businesses in Eastern Washington.”

The NNDF provides credit builder loans for people who are struggling to increase their credit scores while avoiding predatory lending operations. They also provide free family budgeting workshops, small business marketing workshops and an extensive business planning course. All of this financial education is tied to over $3 million dollars in small business financing and over $100,000 in consumer/credit builder lending.

The CDFI Fund’s Native Initiatives generates economic opportunity for Native Communities by supporting the creation and expansion of Native CDFIs like NNDF though the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) and Capacity Building Initiative trainings. The Native CDFIs, in turn, help to create jobs, establish or improve affordable housing, and provide accessible financial services and counseling within their communities.

September 13-14

Small Business Loan Underwriting Training

With NNDF and Oweesta

This event is for loan officers, CDFI accountants, Executive Directors.

Would you like to see how other Native CDFI’s intake, underwrite and process small business loans? Walk through the process of underwriting different small business loans?

Save this date and book your rooms under the Northwest Native Development Fund room block at the Centennial Hotel (formerly Hotel RL) in Spokane Washington. The special NNDF rate for this event is $95 per night. Room block dates are available Wednesday September 12 through Friday September 14. View room block flyer HERE.

Call The Centennial Hotel Spokane to book your room under the room block toll free: 1-844-733-3305 and ask for Mary Jean Jacob. Or you can email Mary Jean at MJacob@centennialhotelspokane.com and refer to the Northwest Native Development Fund block code NORT0912.

Classroom space is limited to 40 individuals. If you want to insure that you have space at this event register ONLINE HERE. If you have any questions please contact Cassandra at cassandraw@thenndf.org (or call (509) 633-9940) in order to secure your registration. Cost for the training is $150.

— Draft Agenda —

Wednesday Arrivals

Thursday

NNDF- Essentials of gathering information for Small Business loan underwriting.

Oweesta/NNDF – Underwrite and analyze small business #1. Walk through analysis.

Oweesta/NNDF – Underwrite and analyze small business #2.

Closing Day for both loans. Perfecting the deal.

4:00 Wrap

Friday

Rewriting a failing loan

Procedures when a loan fails

Managing your loan portfolio

Lunch keynote with Chrystel Cornelius

5:30 pm Gala and Native Business Awards

Attendees are invited to join the NNDF as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Workshop attendees are encouraged to join us for the Friday night Native Business Awards Gala. As a paid attendee of the workshop you will get free attendance to the awards night, dinner and entertainment. We just ask that you RSVP for that event as well because our seating is limited.

The NNDF recently received a $32,000 grant from the First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, Colorado. This award will support the efforts of the NNDF’s Plateau Native Arts Project.

“We are really excited to receive this grant from FNDI. This will greatly help our already growing arts program,” said Ted Piccolo NNDF executive director. “This will help us expand our annual Art Show, open an arts gallery for tourists, and provide more training for our local artists.”

The expanded Plateau Native Arts Project will incorporate an arts gallery in the Grand Coulee Dam area during the high traffic tourist months that will become a training and gathering space for local artists in the off season. The additional funding from FNDI will help expand the already growing Plateau Native Art Show held over Labor Day Weekend and will help the NNDF to provide more artists in business training for artists in our community.

“We have quite the artist population living quietly in our community right now,” said Piccolo, “We hope to be able to provide support for these folks and see this area eventually become a hub for artists in the Plateau Region of Washington State.” The grant timeline for this project will run from January 2018 to January 2019. The NNDF expects to host at least three training sessions that will match up experienced artists with young artists. For more information about the NNDF contact Ted Piccolo at (509) 633-9940 and for more information on the artists program contact
Cassandra Waters at (509) 633-9940.

The NNDF is a non-profit certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The primary mission is to help individuals within our geographic boundary to build assets by bringing financing and training resources. Follow us on Facebook.com/TheNNDF, or our website at www.thenndf.org.

The grants administrator’s responsibilities will include reporting and implementing various funding streams. The administrator will also work with
the Executive Director during the planning and writing process in order to
be aware of the uses of potential funding. In all, he/she has the
ability to perform grant program design and implementation, com
pliance and grant reporting. The successful applicant will report to the executie director and will play a leadership role while supervising th
e staff during the impleentation of grant related activities. He/she will work closely with the fund raising team in order to make the grant process work effectively and efficiently. The position requires a methodological and analytical approach to meet such requirements. They also need to provide clear communication of proper rules and regulations for approving grants, its specifications, requirements and objectives across all departments of the organization and the management.

Human Resource administrator will ensure all personnel files are up do date. Will monitor state and Federal employment rules and regulations to ensure that the organization is compliant. Will track, monitor and report employee time cards, vacation time, retirement plan.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Grants Manager

Managing and supporting the grants requirement and implementation for the organization

Identify and develop strategies to optimize the grants administration process

Perform relevant research to identify available grant opportunities and evaluate the results

Directly involve in grant writing by coordinating with grant writers or coordinators

Oversee if the grants are implemented according to the operational and financial needs of the organization

And send resume’ and cover letter to tedp@thenndf.org.

Coulee Dam, WA – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) will soon have a major increase in its lending capacity – to support tribal community facilities projects. In conjunction with Craft3, a nonprofit lending institution that serves Washington and Oregon, NNDF has been granted access to a $20 million Community Facilities loan fund from USDA Rural Development, and a $2 million grant from Northwest Area Foundation.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Craft3 to help NNDF gain access to over $20 million dollars in long-term facilities financing could fill a huge hole in our community,” said Ted Piccolo, NNDF Executive Director. “As an example, with this new type of funding, the NNDF could have funded the recently completed Coulee Medical Center project. That is the scope of project we will be actively seeking out.”

The NNDF already provides loans for business startups and equipment financing. This new opportunity focuses on a different financial need in our area– developing community facilities. Funds from the program, which was announced in October, can be used to purchase, construct or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses. Examples of essential community facilities include:

The NNDF will be looking for projects that fit the above criteria in and around the Colville and Spokane reservations.

“Lack of capital in tribal communities means a lack of opportunity – and that lack of opportunity has helped create generational, persistent poverty.” said Adam Zimmerman, President & CEO of Craft3. “We’re proud to be partnering with USDA Rural Development and the Northwest Area Foundation on Uplift America to make critical investments that improve quality of life, reduce poverty, improve access to capital, and create jobs.”

“These investments will lift the economic prospects of our communities and create jobs, especially in those areas that have not yet realized their potential for growth,” said Mario Villanueva, Washington State Director for USDA Rural Development. “Thanks to this financing, USDA Rural Development’s local partners will have the resources to build, create and invest in the essential community facilities and services, like public safety, health care and education.”

Community Facilities loan funding from the Uplift America program will be available at the beginning of 2017. For more information regarding Community Facilities loan opportunities, contact Ted Piccolo at the Northwest Native Development Fund, (509) 634-2624.

COULEE DAM, WA – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) has been selected as one of only 12 nationwide Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to receive a “Wells Fargo Works for Small Business: Diverse Community Capitol” grant (DCC). CDFIs like the NNDF are private, nonprofit financial institutions that assist underserved populations. Wells Fargo & Company announced on Monday that it is providing $11.2 million to help CDFIs better serve diverse-owned small businesses – $8.17 million in lending capital and $3.075 million in grants.

The NNDF was selected for this round of the Wells Fargo DCC program from among 98 applicants and will use its portion of the DCC loan funds to solidify operations and provide loans to small business owners who may not qualify for traditional financing. The NNDF will then utilize the grant funds to expand outreach to diverse small business owners, upgrade technology, enhance products and increase technical assistance and coaching to borrowers.

“CDFIs play an important role in helping small business owners access resources that can be critical to success,” said Mike Rizer, Wells Fargo’s head of Community Relations. “Wells Fargo recognizes the vital role that CDFIs play and we are excited to continue the Diverse Community Capital program and to know that more small businesses will start and grow as a result.”

“This has been quite a welcome surprise.” said Ted Piccolo, NNDF Executive Director. “The NNDF is honored to be one of only a couple Native CDFI’s in the entire nation to receive this award and we look forward to plowing these resources back into helping Indian Country.”

Funding from the Wells Fargo DCC grant will allow the NNDF to address a number of current challenges:

Provide a loan loss reserve fund so the NNDF can increase lending.

Allow the NNDF to employ a small business coach and also fund more hours for a loan officer.

Provide a funds match for the NNDF’s IDA clients – people saving for a first time home or small business. (IDA = Matched savings program. You save $1 we match it with $8.)

Inject $70,000 into the NNDF direct lending capital – providing more financing directly into the local community.

The DCC grant program will help the NNDF address challenges that diverse and remote Native owned businesses face when starting or growing their own businesses. This is a unique program that is a collaboration between Wells Fargo and Opportunity Finance Network, a national network of CDFIs. Opportunity Finance Network will be offering a “social capital” component of this program that will focus on helping the NNDF grow stronger through activities like in-person networking, mentorship, consulting and peer learning.

ABOUT THE NNDF

The Northwest Native Development Fund seeks to foster economic and financial independence for Native people by assisting in the development of personal assets through financial and entrepreneurial education as well as providing access to capital through creative lending products. NNDF will promote this mission by increasing home ownership and economic opportunities.

Coulee Dam, WA – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) makes another small business loan in Indian country. Brian Nissen, Chairman of the Boar of the Colville Security company, recently led the company to provide security services for Chief Joseph Dam. Colville Security is an 8a certified company that is now employing over 28 people on (and around) the Colville Indian Reservation.

Due to a natural delay in billing cycles, the fledgling company needed funds to purchase some necessary equipment at the front end of the new deal. That led them to the Northwest Native Development Fund and the relationship is a natural fit. The NNDF was able to provide the working capital funding needed to bridge the billing gap.

“This is a case where the NNDF has shown a natural fit as a financing entity. The business gets the job, hires the people, purchases the equipment and NNDF provides the ‘first in’ financing where no one else could do it.” said Ted Piccolo, executive director of NNDF (pictured with Brian Nissen).

The NNDF looks forward to serving the Native owned security company on further cashflow needs as they continue to grow and add more jobs to the Colville Indian Reservation and surrounding communities.About The Northwest Native Development Fund

The Northwest Native Development Fund seeks to foster economic and financial independence for Native people by assisting in the development of personal assets through financial and entrepreneurial education as well as providing access to capital through creative lending products. NNDF will promote this mission by increasing home ownership and economic opportunities.

Northwest Native Development Fund Announced as a 2017 CDFI Fund Award Recipient

Nespelem, Washington (October 10, 2016) – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) is the recipient a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

This grant will allow the NNDF to continue its goal of helping individuals create and build assets such as, but not limited entirely to, homes and small businesses. The NNDF accomplishes this by providing financial and technical assistance services for those who may not qualify for other sources of funding. They leverage their available resources with local lenders and technical assistance providers.

“We are truly grateful for the CDFI Fund award this year,” said Ted Piccolo, Executive Director of the Northwest Native Development Fund. “This comes at a pivotal time for the NNDF in making more small business loans to Natives in the Plateau region of Eastern Washington. We can bring more vital financing to the Colville and Spokane Indian Reservations where small business financing is incredibly difficult.”About the CDFI Fund

Since its creation in 1994, the CDFI Fund has awarded more than $2.2 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through the CDFI Program, the NACA Program, the Bank Enterprise Award Program, the Capital Magnet Fund, and the Financial Education and Counseling Pilot Program. In addition, the CDFI Fund has allocated $43.5 billion in tax credit allocation authority to Community Development Entities through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, and $852 million has been guaranteed in bonds through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.

To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please view the Fact Sheet or visit the CDFI Fund’s website at www.cdfifund.gov.About The Northwest Native Development Fund

The Northwest Native Development Fund seeks to foster economic and financial independence for Native people by assisting in the development of personal assets through financial and entrepreneurial education as well as providing access to capital through creative lending products. NNDF will promote this mission by increasing home ownership and economic opportunities.

Tribal member Theresa Desautel-Gilcrist opens up the first restaurant in the Colville Tribes new Government Center

February 4, 2016 – Nespelem Washington.

In November of 2014, Theresa Desautel saw an opportunity. The Colville Tribes had just opened a brand new multi-million dollar government center that would house the entire Tribal administration. Hundreds of employees would be working in the new, state-of-the-art building. All those employees needed to eat.

Mrs. Desautel-Gilcrist approached the Tribe with a proposal to operate a cafeteria in the new building, offering healthy, tasty fare for breakfast and lunch. The new cafeteria would be operated by a private person, a Tribal member, rather than the government. The Tribal administration liked her idea and said, “Yes” to her proposal.

There was one problem. Mrs. Desautel-Gilcrist needed start up capital and some help with her business plan. The Northwest Native Development Fund has established itself as the “go to” local organization for both funding and business expertise for budding native entrepreneurs. Theresa turned to the Northwest Native Development Fund for help and the staff at NNDF went to work helping her make her dream come true.

The Executive Director of the NNDF, Ted Piccolo, noted some of the challenges Theresa faced, “Revenue projections for restaurants are difficult. Projections for a café, on a Reservation, in a brand new building of this size are even more difficult,” he said, “but things are always easier when the owner dives right into the project and Theresa really did.”

Entrepreneurs with a new business idea often find that start-up capital is extremely difficult, and often impossible, to get. Trying to get that kind of financing for a Tribally owned building on an Indian Reservation adds to that challenge. It most often entails more difficulties than an outside bank can address. However, the Northwest Native Development Fund was established to meet challenges just like this and has built itself upon doing those difficult deals. The specialized vision of the NNDF allows it to see true potential, accurately assessing the capabilities of the prospective native entrepreneur and then providing the financing needed.

Piccolo said, “In the case of Red Willow Café’, the market was there. The customers were right there in the building. The owner, Theresa, was burning the midnight oil leading up to the opening and the Tribal government administration really wanted a private individual in there who could service their employees. There was just many reasons a financing entity in the right place, with the right philosophy of lending, would take the opportunity to partner with Mrs. Desautel-Gilcrist.”

Eight weeks later the Red Willow Café’ opened its doors. Inside were 5 new employees and a whole new line-up of foods for the Nespelem area including healthy salads, sandwiches, soups, and smoothies. It might have seemed normal for Seattle, but for this small proud community located in the heart of the Colville Indian Reservation it is new and exciting. Very exciting.

In Okanogan County, the Northwest Native Development Fund is having its second Small Business Gala to honor not just business owners but those who are their best customers. Executive Director Ted Piccolo says every week is Entrepreneurship Week in northern Washington. “For folks like us, we’re looking around thinking, ‘Well, join the party!’” he says. “It’s what we do every day, working with microenterprise and small business.” Piccolo says his group also is congratulating a new group of Indianpreneurship graduates, who have taken a rigorous 10-week course to emerge with a business plan, and working to help market the area’s Native American artists. – See more at: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-11-17/livable-wages-working-families/nurturing-local-global-entrepreneurs-in-wa/a42883-1#sthash.lkgxEXsT.dpuf

In all actuality it is not us doing the hard work. It is all those entrepreneurs out there fighting the elements and the odds to make it happen.